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Under the Scope: Oilers vs. Canucks

by
Ryan Frankson
/ Edmonton Oilers

Christopher Tanev's first NHL goal came in dramatic fashion as the Vancouver Canucks posted a 3-2 overtime victory over the Oilers on Monday night at Rexall Place. Tanev scored with just 19 seconds left in OT to win it for the Canucks, who also scored with 2:17 remaining in regulation to tie the game. Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth spotted the Oilers a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes, while Devan Dubnyk finished the game with 37 saves between the Edmonton pipes.

After Kevin Bieksa tied it up for the Canucks late in the third period, the Oilers had a golden opportunity to win the game in OT when Taylor Hall was awarded a penalty shot. Hall's hard wrist shot was stopped by Roberto Luongo, however, and Vancouver tallied the game-winner just 1:53 later.

9

Consecutive games in which Sam Gagner has recorded at least one point, leading the Oilers in scoring with three goals and seven assists on the season.

2

Oilers players who left Monday's game due to injuries. Mark Fistric hurt his back on a missed hip-check in the opening frame and captain Shawn Horcoff broke his knuckle blocking a shot late in the second period.

30

Oilers faceoff percentage against the Canucks on Monday. Only left-winger Ryan Smyth had a winning percentage, going 3-for-5 at the dot.

15

More shots the Canucks had than the Oilers, including a lopsided middle frame that saw them outshoot Edmonton 15-4.

Devan Dubnyk

SA

SV

GA

TOI

SV%

40

37

3

64:33

.925

Ales Hemsky

G

A

PTS

+/-

PIM

1

0

1

E

0

Roberto Luongo

SA

SV

GA

TOI

SV%

25

23

2

64:40

.920

CANUCKS Roberto Luongo

SA

SV

GA

TOI

SV%

25

23

2

64:40

.920

OILERS Devan Dubnyk

SA

SV

GA

TOI

SV%

40

37

3

64:33

.925

CANUCKS Dan Hamhuis - D

26:10 - 0 PTS, +1 rating

OILERS Justin Schultz- D

27:49 - 0 PTS, -1 rating

For the second consecutive game, Nail Yakupov and Ales Hemsky joined forces to score the most impressive goal of the game for the Oilers. On Saturday in Denver it was Hemsky setting up Yakupov, and on Monday Nail flipped a pass to Ales for the nifty backhand deke goal.

Ales Hemsky's season of resurgence continues and he was the best Oilers forward on the ice on Monday night. The Czech veteran scored the team's first goal on a terrific backhand deke and logged 16:47 of ice time. He also blocked four shots to lead the team, an impressive stat for a player in a predominantly offensive role.

Anton Lander had his third straight solid performance since being called up from the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons on Thursday. The Swede logged a season-high 14:54 of ice time on Monday with 2:40 of that coming on the penalty kill. With Shawn Horcoff and Eric Belanger out with injuries, Lander becomes the team's third-string centre.

Ales Hemsky is just two assists way from tying legendary defenceman turned Oilers President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe for seventh on the team's all-time assists leaderboard with 309. Hemsky has a pair of helpers this season.

"It's frustrating ... You don't want to let that happen." - Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk on surrendering the tying goal late in the third period and overtime winner

Monday, February 6 vs. Dallas 8:00pm MST (TSN / 630 CHED)

The Oilers wrap up a mini two-game homestand on Wednesday when the Dallas Stars visit Rexall Place for an 8pm contest (TSN, 630 CHED). It's back on the road after that for Edmonton as they head to Detroit for an afternoon game against the Red Wings on Saturday and play the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Sunday.